Interlock for voting-machines.



. J. M. DAVIS.

INTERLOCK FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1908.

1,119,139. Patented Dec. 1,1914.

4 SKEETSSHEET 1.

REPRESENTATIVES N GENERAL ASsEMBLY TWENTY FlRST DISTRICT Ivor: Fol A001 0! 3,0! (v01: rofllnno Zvarssml. Ii vorzs 4 voYE fol 2 3vo1zs -vcrs Fen l L mc'llmlm'ml (MMMgkMg1MM MM" TTTT an EE EE aou TTTT 1 {&MMMMMM@&MMMW

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ORLANDO 1 1 M l\ TMMMMMMMMMMMfiQ lo manna WYNNZY RVMtEY lwVnNtY RUMLtY l WVNNEY lnmuaom ATTORNEY J. M. DAVIS.

INTERLOCK FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 30.190&

1,1 19,139. Patented Dec.1,1914.

4 SHEETS'-SHEET 2.

K U WITNESSES" ATTORNEY J. M. DAVIS.

INTERLOCK FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. so. 1908.

1,119,139, Patented Dec. 1,1914.

4 SHEBTS SHEET 3.

WITNESSES: Q} INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. M. DAVIS.

INTERLOOK FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV30.190B.

1,119,139. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

4 EHEETS $HEET 4.

\l lnvenfoz witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MOBRELL DAVIS. OF INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA. ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INTERLOCK FOB VOTIN G-MACHINES.

Application filed November 30. 1908.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Jam-1s Mommm. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States. residing at Indianapolis. in the county of Marion and State of Indiana. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Intel-locks for Voting-Machines. of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to that class of voting machines described in patents issued to Christ Christensen. Nos. 806.736 and 328.351. and it has for its object to provide a special interlockfor such a machine so that machines of that type can be adapted for use in elections where cumulative voting is practised. as is the case, for example. in the State of Illinois in the election of members to the general assembly thereof.

In the State of Illinois the constitution at present provides that three representatives shall be elected to the general assembly from each senatorial district. and that in the election of the representatives. which occurs every two years. each qualified voter may cast as many votes for one candidate as there are representatives to be elected. or may distribute the same or equal parts thereof among the candidates as he shall see fit. and

the three candidates highest in votes shall be declared elected. Thus. the candidates Smith. Brown and Jones may be nominated by one party. The voter may at his option cast three votes for Smith alone. two votes for Smith and one for Brown. one and onehalf for Smith and Brown each. or one vote apiece for each Smith. Jones and Brown. or may cumulate them on any one other candidate or combination of candidates he may see fit. It is the practice of the political parties in that State. where the senatorial district contains but a small majority for either party. for the two leading parties to nominate two candidates only. so that the voters in voting a straight ticket may count one and one-half votes for each of these candidates. although he may at his option vote otherwise. as above indicated. In other instances the party nominates but a single candidate. so that from the voter who votes a straight ticket such candidate will receive three votes. while in other cases each or all of the parties will nominate two candidates Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1. 1911.

Serial No. 465.421.

for this otlice. but in any case the voter is entitled to and must be permitted to bunch or distribute his vote to the extent above indicated. 7

In order to arrange the machine to permit voters to vote in all ways in which they are entitled to vote. I have arranged the names of the candidates on the keyboard of the machine in a special way. repeating them as may be necessarv and specially interlocking the keys belonging to such candidates so as to allow the keys to be voted in all the different ways that may be necessary to secure all the rights above described.

It will be understood that this in ention may be used on machines that are otherwise provided with the so called straight ticket counters. on which the straight ticket vote is counted by the operation of a single key. there being on such machines a separate straight ticket i e-y and a separate straight ticket counter for each party. This feature has heretofore been described in Letters Patent issued to Christ Christensen.

My invention is also capable of use to" other purposes and consists of certain im provements and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described. the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a front elevation of that portion of the keyboard of the machine on which the sembly ticket is placed in an Illinois election. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line '2". 1*. of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal horizontal section on the line 3. 3". in Fig. '2. Fig. l is a detail of the single candidate voting and interlocking mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail of the special interlock for cumulative voting. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the interlocking and grouping mechanism of the machine. Fig: 7 is a view of the cumulative voting interlock added to the parts shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the spacing block of the grouping mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail of the compensator used in the interlock to prevent the voting of an excessive number of keys.

In the accompanying drawings like refercnce numerals refer to like parts.

, the assembly ticket as it may occur in an Illinois election arranged on the machine in a manner that may be necessary for the purpose of permitting the voter to vote accordingto his rights as above set forth. The group that must be arranged for voting the assembly ticket in this case includes twelve ofiice lines of the machine and the first oflice line of the group, in this case, occurs on the tenth office line of the machine. Itwill be understood that in this instance there is on the ticketahead of this assembly group nine other ofiice lines of candidates such as governor, lieutenantgovernor, secretary of state, etc. All of these offices come in a sequence that is prescribed by law. Some of these oflices occur on the ticket in successive elections more frequently than others and because of this the position of the assembly ticket on the machine may vary from one election to another.

As shown in Fig. 1 office lines ten to fifteen inclusive, contain the individual candidate vote on which ofiice lines each key voted will indicate one vote only and will be counted as such by the counters and will be audited as 'such by the election board. Three keys can be voted in these six ofiice lines. It will be seen that each candidates name appears twice on these six office lines. This permits the voter to vote twice for any one candidate" and once for another candidate, or for three different candidates. In canvassing the vote for these six oflice lines the election officers are instructed to multiply by one the vote indicated by each counter, or in other words to take for the official vote to be included in the returns the net vote indicated on the counters. On the 16th to the 18th of'lice lines inclusive the names of these same candidates occur but once. As indicated by the ballot label at the top of the keyboard, any two keys in those three oflice lines may be voted, and the election ofiicers are requested in canvassing the vote to multiply the indication of each counter in those two office lines by one and one-half. In this way the voter can vote for any two of the candidates nominated for this office, and the vote cast willcount one and onehaltvotes for each of the candidates or three votes for the two candidates. In office lines 19 to 21 inclusive, the same candidates names are again repeated, each candidates name occurring in that group once. In these three ofiice lines but one key can be voted, and a vote given by any key in those three office lines will count as three votes for such candidate and will be audi ted as such by the election board who will be instructed to multiply the indication of the counters in that group by three in order to get the correct vote indicated thereby. That is to say, if counter l9 stands at the beginning of the election at 000 and at the end of the election it shows 50, the election ofiicer will credit to its candidate 150 votes, the correct number of votes for such candidate being ascertained by multiplying the record of the counters by the factor shown on the ballot label above, which in this case is 3.

As shown in Fig. 1 ofiice lines ,10 to 21 inclusive are devoted to candidates for representatives in the general assembly. Of these office lines, 10 to 15 inclusive are contained in one group, in which but three keys can be voted; office lines 16 to 18 inclusive are included in another, group in which but two keys can be voted; ofiice lines 19 to 21 inclusive are included in the third group in which but one key can be voted. ,In order to prevent the voter from voting in excess of the numbers above stated in any, one group compensators are inserted in the interlock to take up the excess space that is normally allowed therein in the construction of the machine. It will be understood, of course, that in the construction of the machine the wedges in the main interlock are all of the same displacement, and sufficient space is allowed in each office line for the voting of one wedge and no more, and where six office lines are grouped together itewill be necessary to insert a block or compensator in the interlock of a thickness or a displacement equal to three interlocking wedges which is the thickness of the compensators thatmust be used in the group including .oflice lines 10 to 15 inclusive. Likewise a. compensator having a thickness equal to the displacement of one wedge must be inserted in the I group which extends from oflice lines 16 to 18 inclusive; and in the group from 19 to 21 inclusive a compensator having a thickness equal to the displacement of two interlocking wedges should be inserted so as to limit the number of keys that can be voted to the proper number in each case. Any one of these three sub-groups will permit a voter to indicate three votes in the manner above set forth, which is all he is entitled by law to vote in this office. Consequently when the voter has voted in one of these sub groups it is necessary to prevent him from voting in any of the other sub-groups, and mechanism is also provided by which this result is secured, ot erwise the voter would be permitted to vote in excess of privilege.

Having thus described in a general way the object of my invention and the result which must be secured thereby, I will now describe the mechanism' by. which this result is secured.v All the keys on the machine including those shown in the assembly group shown in Fig. 1 are regularly interlocked substantially in the manner described in the prior patents issued to Christ Chrishis legal tensen above referred to. Reference numeral 1 refers to the keys. To each of these keys is connected an interlocking strap 2, which interlocking strap passes between interlocking blocks or rollers 3 carried on swinging wire supports 4. The interlocking blocks and wedges of one ofiice line are separated from those of the next ofiice line by the grouping pin 5, which engages with a supporting channel 6 and fastens thereon a yoke 7 which in turn carries an abutment block 8. To combine two office lines into a group the grouping pin 5 is withdrawn which permits the interlock to interchange between those two ofiice lines. In the same manner groups of larger size are formed by the withdrawal. of the grouping pins between the office lines thereof. In the representative group the grouping pins are retained between oflice lines 9 and 10, between 15 and16, and between 18 and 19, and between 21 and 22, while all the other grouping pins between ofiice lines 10 and 21 are withdrawn. In the first sub group a compensator 25 is inserted between the interlocking wedges'and blocks, which compensator prevents the voting of three keys that might otherwise be voted in that group, leaving any three keys to be voted therein instead of six keys that could otherwise be voted. The sub-group referred to extends from oifice lines 10 to 15 inclusive.

In the second sub-group oflice lines, 16 to 18 inclusive, a compensator 26 is inserted, which compensator willprevent the voting of one key in that group which otherwise might be voted, leaving any two keys to be voted therein instead of three that might otherwise be voted. In the sub-group containing oflice lines 19 to 21 inclusive a compensator 27 is inserted, which compensator will prevent the voting of two keys which otherwise might be voted, leaving any one key to be voted therein instead of three that might otherwise be voted. Compensator 26 has a thickness equal to the displacement of one of the interlocking wedges 28. Compensator 27 has a thickness equal to the displacement of two of the interlocking wedges 28. compensator 25 has a thickness equal to the displacement of three of the interlocking wedges 28. By means of these compensators the number of keys that can be voted in each sub-group is limited to the proper number. When this part of the machine must be used for other elections these compensators can be removed, which will again permitone key to be voted in each office line. i p

As indicated by Fig. 1 three keys can be voted in the first sub-group, two can be voted in the second sub-group and one key can be voted in the third sub-group. If the voter were allowed to vote all of these six keys he would be indicating nine votes in the assembly group in all, or three times the proper number. This would be manifestly improper and additional mechanism must be provided to limit the voter to the proper number and this mechanism I am now about to describe.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4 each of the interlocking straps is provided with a shoulder 30 thereon. Mounted in the bottom of the machine at suitable intervals are standards 31, 31. Supported by these standards is the shaft 32. Pivoted on this shaft are four frames 33, 34, 35, and 36, which frames normally rest at their free end on the shoulders 30 formed on the interlocking straps adjacent thereto. These frames are imiform in size and each of them is long enough to embrace the interlocking straps of three oflioe lines, so that the four frames embrace or engage with the interlocking straps of the twelve oflice lines that make up the assembly group. When any one of the interlocking straps of the assembly group is raised to voted position, the frame will be raised as well, frames for this purpose being permitted to swing free on the shaft If any one of the frames is held down the interlocking straps 2 engaged thereby will be locked against operation. Connected to each of these frames are two interlocking wedges 37. These interlocking wedges pass through an interlocking channel 38 and are interlocked therein by interlocking blocks 39. The frames 33 and 34 engage with interlocking straps included in the first subgroup. The frame 35 engages with interlockiif'g straps of the second sub-group and. the frame 36 engages with the interlocking straps of the third sub-group. The interlockin wedges 37 connected to the frames 35 an 36 have double the displacement of the wedges connected to the frames 33 and 34 and the interlocking channel 38 and blocks 39 are so adjusted that space is given therein to permit the raising of either one of the frames 35 or 36, or both of the frames 33 and 34, and no more. If the frame 36 is lifted the frames 33, 34. and 35 will be held down by their interlocking wedges 37 which will in turn hold locked against voting operation all of the keys'in the other two sub-groups. This is also true when the frame 35 is lifted. When the frame 34 is lifted the frames 35 and 36 will be locked against voting operation because onlv half of the space is left in the channel 38 that is necessary to permit the wedges 37 connected thereto to enter, but there is still sufficient room in the interlocking channel 38 to permit the wedges 37 connected to the frame 33 to enter therein. So that while either or both of the frames 33 and 34 can be voted at thesame time, the votingof one of. them is just as efl'ectual for locking out the two other sub-groups as is the voting of both of them. Frames 33 and 34 could be combined into one, but I have found it more desirable to have two frames instead of one, because the weight of the frame on any one key tending to reset the key is less where two frames are used than if only one frame is bearing thereon. It has been found by practice that when any one key is voted the friction in the moving parts of the key is sufficient to hold elevated the frame engaged therewith and further that when the key is reset, as it will be in the operation ofthe machine, the frame or frames that have been raised will drop back to normal position by gravity.

It will thus be seen that each key in the assembly group is controlled by two interlocks. One of these interlocks prevents: the voter from voting an excessive number of keys in its sub-group; the other interlock prevents the voter from voting in more than one sub-group, and thus also prevents the voting of an excessive number of keys in the whole group. Between these two interlocks, as above described, the voter is allowed to do everything that he is lawfully entitled to do and is also prevented from voting in excess of his lawful privilege.

If a voter indicates his vote in one subgroup and wishes to change his vote to another sub-group, it will only be necessary for him to turn back the key or keys already voted in the first sub-group. The interlocking frames will then fall back to their normal position, and it will then be possible for the voter to vote in either of the other sub-groups. It will be understood, of course,"that the operation of the key and the counter by the voter is only artial in machines of this type, the operation being completed by the machine as the voter leaves the machine, the voter at that time swinging a gate or an operating lever for the purpose of completing the operation of the keys and counters and for the purpose of returning the keys to normal position. Until the voter operates the exit gate or the operating lever of the machine, he can retract or change his vote at will. 1

The standards 31 and the interlock supported thereby may be moved to and fastened in any part of the machine, so as to coiiperate with the interlocking straps 2 of the assembly group wherever that group may occur. I

In Fig. 9 I have shown a detail of the compensator. This is made in the shape of the letter U turned on its side. The bottom part 40 as shown in Fig. 9 carries the interlocking surfaces; The top part 41'carr1es the latch 42 pivoted at 43 by which the compensator can be positively engaged with the outer plate of the channel 6. The parts are so roportioned that when the compensator is m place the bottom interlockmg surface in each oflice line, an

40 will come in line with the interlocking rollers and will coiiperate with them to interlock with the wedges 28.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and patentable is as follows:

1. The combination in a voting machine of interlocking straps each having a lug thereon, said straps being divided into groups, a series of pivoted plates engaging with said lugs, one for each group, and each plate being supported so as to be lifted when any interlocking strap in its group is operated, and means to prevent the lifting of the remaining plates when any one of them has been lifted. a

2. The combination in a voting machine of interlocking straps, each strap having a lug thereon, said straps being divided into groups, a shaft extending parallel to said groups of straps, plates pivotally mounted on said shaft one for each group of straps,

each plate engaging with the lugs on the straps of its particular group, so as to be lifted thereby when any strap in its group is operated, and means to prevent the lift-- ing of the remaining plates when any one of them has been lifted.

3. A compensator for a voting machine interlock having a U shape, a supporting plate with which said compensator 1s positively engaged and along which it is free to move.

4. A compensator for a voting machine interlock having a U shape with two legs thereon, one of said legs having interlocking surfaces thereon, and the other of said legs being Iprovided with a latch.

5. he combination in a voting machine of keys arranged in a plurality of parallel oflice lines, interchangeable interlocking and grouping mechanism for said keysnormally preventing the voting capable of controlling a predetermined number of said oflice lines of keys and adjustable to connect with the keys of said number of office lines in any part of the machine.

6. The combination in a voting machine of keys arrangedin a plurality of arallel ofiice lines, interchangeable interlocking and grouping mechanism for said keys normally preventin the votin of more than one key in each 0 cc line, an an auxiliary interlock capable of controlling a predetermined number of said office lines of keys and adjustable to connect with the keys of said number of ofiice lines in any art of the machine, said auxiliary interloc having three movable members thereon suitably interlocked to prevent the movement of more than one thereof.

7. The combination in a voting machine of keys arranged in a plurality of parallel office lines, interchangeable interlocking and of more than one key an auxlliary interlock grouping mechanism for said keys normally preventing the voting of more than one key in each oflice line, and an auxiliary interlock capable of controlling a predetermined number of said oflice lines of keys and adjustable to connect with the keys of said number of oflice lines in any part of the machine, said auxiliary interlock having three movable members thereon suitably interlocked to prevent the movement of more than one thereof, said members being connected to the keys to regulate the voting thereof.

8. The combination in a voting machine of keys arranged in a series of parallel ofiice lines, a separate interlocking device connected to each key, means for adjusting said interlocking devices so as to divide said keys in a series of groups, in one of which groups three keys can be voted, in another two keys can be voted, and in another butone key can be voted, and an auxiliary interlocking mechanism connected to said keys by said groups, which operates to prevent the movement of the keys in either of the other groups when a key is voted in any one group. i

9. The combination in a voting machine of keys arranged in a series of parallel olfice lines, a separate interlocking device connected to each key, means for adjusting said interlocking devices so as to divide said keys in a series of groups, permitting a different number of keys to be voted in each group, and an auxiliary interlocking mechanism comprising pivoted frames connected to saidkeys by saidgroups, said frames being suitably interlocked antl controlling said keys thereby, so that the voting of a key in any one of said groups will prevent the operation of keys in either of the other groups.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MORRELL DAVIS. Witnesses:

HESS OARROWAY, NEWTON J. MCGUIRE. 

